JP2010266757A - Printing system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To meet the demand that when a consumable article such as a component of an image forming apparatus is replaced with a recycled article, an appropriate setting is required. <P>SOLUTION: A printing system is disclosed, and includes an indicating means which, when the consumable article of the image forming apparatus is replaced and a recycled consumable article is determined to be used, indicates settings to be changed in accordance with the replacement with the recycled consumable article. After the replacement with the recycled consumable article, the settings indicated by the indicating means are carried out in the image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing consumables of an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, it is known to manage the life of consumables based on the usage history of the consumables of the image forming apparatus. In addition, a management system that manages the inventory of reuse consumables and enables the replacement of reuse consumables when consumables are replaced is also considered. (For example, Patent Document 1)
According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-260, the image forming apparatus transmits a consumable replacement request to the management apparatus when the life of the consumable is approaching. Thereafter, the management device extracts the reuse consumables to be replaced from the remaining contract period of the image forming apparatus, the usage status of the customer, and the remaining life of the reuse consumables being managed.

JP 2008-185824 A

  However, in addition to the disclosure of Patent Document 1, in the replacement of reuse consumables, unlike new consumables, various settings (color tone, print settings, etc.) of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the past use situation after replacement, etc. It was necessary to consider.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of performing appropriate settings when using a reused product when replacing consumables such as parts of an image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing system according to the present invention is a system including a management device for performing replacement with a new or reused consumable that is managed according to the degree of consumption of the consumable of the image forming apparatus. Then, when exchanging the consumables of the image forming apparatus, a determination unit for determining whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable, and based on a result of the determination by the determination unit, a new or reused A notification means for notifying that the consumable is used when it is replaced, and responding to the replacement of the reuse consumable when the determination means determines that the consumable is to be used. And an instruction means for instructing a setting to be changed. After replacement of a reuse consumable determined to be used by the determination means, the setting indicated by the instruction means is provided. There characterized in that it is performed in the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique capable of performing an appropriate setting when using a reused product when replacing consumables such as parts of an image forming apparatus.

The figure which shows the connection relation via the internet of an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus Configuration diagram of management device Configuration diagram of image forming apparatus An example of an information table related to consumables in the management device An example of an information table related to customers in the management device An example of an information table related to reuse consumables in the management device Example of correspondence table regarding reuse parts to be replaced and settings of image forming apparatus to be changed at that time Flowchart for explaining processing of replacement part extraction of management apparatus and setting instruction to image forming apparatus Flowchart for illustrating and explaining replacement part extraction processing of the management apparatus Flowchart for explaining in detail processing based on an instruction from the management apparatus in the image forming apparatus Flowchart for explaining processing from replacement part extraction to setting change instruction in the image forming apparatus Flowchart for explaining details of replacement part extraction processing in image forming apparatus Example of a display screen for replacement parts in an image forming apparatus Example of a display screen for replacement parts in an image forming apparatus

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 illustrates a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between an image forming apparatus main body and a management apparatus via the Internet.

  In this figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a LAN, 102 denotes an image forming apparatus, 103 denotes a proxy server, and 104 denotes a firewall (FW) installed to increase the security of the Internet. The image forming apparatus 102 may include functions such as scanning, FAX, and copying in addition to the printing function. Reference numeral 105 denotes a personal computer (PC) used by a general user for business or the like, and these are connected to the LAN 101. Reference numeral 107 denotes an environment in which each device connected to the LAN 101 is connected to the Internet via the FW 104.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a management apparatus that centrally manages the operating state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 102 transmits operation information (counter value such as the number of printed sheets, operation status log, installation environment information, and failure information) of the image forming apparatus 102 via the Internet 108 according to a communication schedule set for the image forming apparatus 102 via the LAN 101. To the management apparatus 106. As a communication method at this time, there is an exchange of MIB (Management Information Base) via SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Here, the communication protocol between apparatuses is assumed to be a protocol such as HTTP or HTTPS, but is not particularly limited. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits data to the management apparatus 106 via the proxy server 103 and the FW 104 using HTTPS. In addition, the management apparatus 106 can manage a plurality of customer networks on which image forming apparatuses such as the environment 107 are installed via the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration included in the management device 106 and functional modules realized by the management device. The management device 106 includes a communication unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a control unit (CPU) 203.

  The communication unit 201 has a function for communicating with the image forming apparatus 102. Specifically, the communication unit 201 controls the reception of device information (such as various identification information and operation information of the image forming apparatus) transmitted from the image forming apparatus 102 and the transmission of instructions and various information to the image forming apparatus 102. To do.

  The storage unit 202 stores device information, sales company information, customer information, and the like.

  The control unit 203 implements functional modules such as a notification management unit 204, a sales company information management unit 205, a device information management unit 206, and a customer information management unit 207. A function module realized by the control unit 203 monitors a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and manages information necessary for performing maintenance, for example. The notification management unit 204 generates notification information notified via the communication unit 201 and specifies a notification destination. This notification includes a maintenance request notification to a service person who maintains the image forming apparatus 102 and a consumable supply replenishment request notification. A sales company information management unit 205 manages information on a sales company that manages and supports the image forming apparatus 102 installed in the customer network. A device information management unit 206 manages information related to the image forming apparatus 102 to be maintained. Information to be managed includes identification information (device ID, device type, IP / MAC address, etc.) for identifying the image forming apparatus, operation information of the image forming apparatus, maintenance history, and an administrator of the image forming apparatus. There is administrator information, consumable information of the image forming apparatus, and the like. A customer information management unit 207 manages information related to customers in the customer network in which the image forming apparatus 102 is installed. The information includes information on maintenance contracts with sales companies.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration provided in the image forming apparatus 102 and functional modules realized by the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 102 includes a communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, an image forming unit 303, a control unit 304, an operation unit 305, and a display unit 306.

  The communication unit 301 controls transmission of device information related to the image forming apparatus 102 to the management apparatus 106, instructions transmitted from the management apparatus 106, and reception of various types of information. Transmission / reception is realized using SMTP, HTTP / HTTPS, or the like.

  The storage unit 302 holds image forming apparatus identification information, management apparatus identification information, and the like. In addition, operation information such as various counter values and operation history of the image forming apparatus 102 and information indicating various abnormal states is also stored. The management apparatus information includes information related to communication such as the IP address of the management apparatus 106 that manages the image forming apparatus 102.

  The image forming unit 303 has a function of generating print data and printing it out.

  The control unit 304 realizes a device information control unit 307 that is a functional module that controls the entire image forming apparatus 102, manages various types of information included in device information, and performs control for transmission according to a schedule. . The device information control unit 307 detects and manages abnormalities in print control and other image forming apparatus states, manages counter values, and manages notification information to external apparatuses. In addition, in accordance with the input instruction, control relating to color adjustment, print mode, and other function settings is also performed.

  An operation unit 305 is an interface for enabling operations on the image forming apparatus 102 including a print instruction by a user. The display unit 306 displays a screen including appropriate information for the user. The information displayed here includes status information of the image forming apparatus, various setting information, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a table for managing information related to components used in the image forming apparatus held by the management apparatus 106. This table is held in the storage unit 202 of the management apparatus 106.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes a part name of each part. Reference numeral 402 denotes a serial number for identifying each component. Reference numeral 403 denotes a unit of the counter value used when calculating the wear rate of each component. In this embodiment, the unit is the number of sheets, but other examples include rotation speed and usage time. Reference numeral 404 denotes a counter value of each component. Reference numeral 405 denotes the wear rate of each component. The consumption rate is calculated from the life information of each part registered in the management apparatus 106 in advance and the value of the counter 404 of each part. Reference numeral 406 denotes the date of previous replacement of each part.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a table for managing customer information registered in the management apparatus 106. This table is held in the storage unit 202 of the management apparatus 106.

  As customer information, for example, information such as customer name, customer ID, contract start date, contract end date, and remaining contract period is managed. Reference numeral 501 indicates whether or not there is a reuse contract, and it is possible to identify whether or not a reuse consumable can be handled when replacing the consumable. When the reuse contract is “YES”, it indicates that a reused part may be used in addition to a new part when the part is replaced.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a table for managing information related to reuse parts held by the management apparatus 106. This table is held in the storage unit 202 of the management apparatus 106.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a part name of each reuse part. Reference numeral 602 denotes a serial number for identifying each reuse component. Reference numeral 603 denotes a unit of a counter used when calculating the consumption rate of each reused part. In this embodiment, the number of sheets is the number of sheets, but other examples include rotation speed and time. Reference numeral 604 denotes a counter for each reuse component. Reference numeral 605 denotes a consumption rate of each reused part. Reference numeral 606 denotes a date when each reused part is collected. This reused part is recovered as a consumable item that can still be used from an image forming device that has failed and cannot be repaired in the customer environment, or has been disposed of for other reasons, and has been processed as necessary. It is.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a table for managing correspondence information related to reuse consumables to be exchanged held by the management apparatus 106 and image forming apparatus settings to be changed at the time of the exchange. This table is held in the storage unit 202 of the management apparatus 106. Reference numeral 701 denotes the name (part name or the like) of each reuse consumable. Reference numeral 702 denotes settings of the image forming apparatus that are changed when the reuse product is replaced. Here, it is shown that, for example, a photosensitive drum, a conveyance roller, a backing paper, and the like are managed as reuse consumables, and calibration is performed when the reused photosensitive drum is replaced, for example. The back paper refers to paper that has already been printed on one side.

  In addition, regarding the setting that is changed according to the reuse product such as the conveyance roller, the setting value that is changed according to the degree of consumption of the reuse product is changed.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart for explaining processing from extraction of consumables to be used for replacement of the management apparatus 106 to setting change instruction to the image forming apparatus 102. Here, an example in which replacement parts for consumable parts of the image forming apparatus are extracted will be described. Each step in this flowchart, which is a process in the management apparatus, is realized by the control unit 203 reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 202 or the like.

  In step S801, the device information management unit 206 stands by until information is received from the image forming apparatus 102, and proceeds to step S802 in response to the reception. Here, the information received from the image forming apparatus will be described focusing on device information and part replacement notification. In step S <b> 802, the device information management unit 206 determines whether the information received from the image forming apparatus 102 is a component replacement notification. If it is a component replacement notification, the process proceeds to S807. If device information has been received, the process advances to step S803.

  In step S <b> 803, when the received device information includes the counter value of each consumable item (part etc.) used in the image forming apparatus 102, the device information management unit 206 calculates the consumption rate of each part based on the information. To do. In step S804, the device information management unit 206 determines whether the wear rate of each component calculated in step S803 exceeds a specified value. Here, the specified value is a value that is registered in advance in the management apparatus 106 and can be changed by the administrator of the management apparatus 206 based on information provided by a vendor that manufactures and manages the parts. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image is registered in advance in the management apparatus 106, but may be registered in the image forming apparatus 102. If the result of determination in S <b> 804 is that the wear rate of any component used in the image forming apparatus 102 does not exceed the specified value, the management apparatus 106 ends the processing. If it is determined in step S804 that the wear rate of any part used in the image forming apparatus 102 exceeds the specified value, the process advances to step S805. In S805, replacement part extraction processing is performed for parts whose wear rate exceeds a predetermined value. This replacement part extraction process will be described later in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S806, the device information management unit 206 determines whether the extracted replacement part is a reuse product (reuse product). If the extracted replacement part is not a reuse part as a result of the determination in S806, the process in the management apparatus 106 ends here. As a result of the determination in S806, if the extracted replacement part is a reuse part, the process returns to S801, and the device information management unit 206 continues to wait for a part replacement notification from the image forming apparatus 102. The part replacement notification is notified from the image forming apparatus when a part replacement is performed by a service person or a user arranged for maintenance of the image forming apparatus.

  In step S <b> 807, the device information management unit 206 transmits, to the image forming apparatus 102, a setting change instruction corresponding to the reused part that is extracted in step S <b> 805 and is actually replaced based on the received replacement part notification. The contents of the setting change are determined by referring to the table in FIG. 7, and a notification including an instruction is generated by the notification management unit 204.

  In step S <b> 808, the device information management unit 206 confirms whether the instruction content has been successfully executed in the image forming apparatus 102 in response to the setting change execution instruction performed in step S <b> 807. This confirmation is confirmed by processing such as confirmation by receiving notification of success or failure from the image forming apparatus 102, or determining failure if the notification of success is not received within a predetermined time. As a result of the confirmation in S808, if the execution result in the image forming apparatus 102 is not successful, in S809, the device information management unit 206 notifies the administrator of the management apparatus 106 of the failure. As a result of the confirmation in S808, if the execution result in the image forming apparatus 102 is successful, this processing is terminated. If the setting change has failed in S809, it is possible to notify the administrator belonging to the customer network that the automatic setting change has failed and to prompt the user to change the setting manually.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining details of replacement part extraction processing (S805) in the management apparatus 106.

  In step S <b> 901, the device information management unit 206 confirms the reuse contract 501 in the customer information table stored in the storage unit 202. In step S <b> 902, the device information management unit 206 refers to the reuse contract 501 and determines whether the contract allows replacement of reuse parts. As a result of the determination in S902, if the replacement of the reuse component is impossible, the process proceeds to S907, and if the replacement of the reuse part is possible, the process proceeds to S903.

In step S <b> 903, the device information management unit 206 compares the remaining contract period and user usage status of the image forming apparatus 102 with the lifetime of the reuse component. In this comparison, the consumption amount of the parts used in the remaining contract period is compared with the lifetime of the managed reuse parts in consideration of the usage situation of the user. In step S904, as a result of the comparison in step S903, it is confirmed whether there is a reuse component that sufficiently satisfies the life when used by the user during the remaining contract period. As a result of the confirmation in S904, if there is no reuse part suitable for the condition, the process proceeds to S907, and if there is a reuse part suitable for the condition, the process proceeds to S905.
Here, if a reuse component with a short life is selected, it will be replaced more than necessary, resulting in an increase in cost for useless replacement and downtime of the image forming apparatus. It will be. Therefore, in the present invention, one or more reuse parts having conditions sufficiently matching the remaining contract period are selected.

  In step S <b> 905, the device information management unit 206 sets as replacement part information that a reuse part that matches the condition found in step S <b> 904 is to be replaced. In addition, when there are a plurality of reuse parts that meet the conditions as shown in FIG. 6, the one with the shorter remaining life may be selected with priority. This promotes the use of reuse parts in many devices. On the other hand, in step S <b> 906, the device information management unit 206 sets replacement parts information that new parts are to be replaced.

  In step S907, the device information management unit 206 transmits a notification for a preset destination including the replacement part information set in step S905 or S906. The notification here is generated by the notification management unit 204.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining in detail processing based on an instruction from the management apparatus 106 in the image forming apparatus 102. With respect to this processing, the device information control unit 304 of the image forming apparatus 102 performs each step mainly.

  In step S1001, an instruction from the management apparatus 106 is awaited. In step S1002, it is confirmed whether the instruction from the management apparatus 106 is a setting change instruction for printing or the like. As a result of confirmation in S1002, if the instruction from the management apparatus 106 is not a setting change instruction, in S1005, the image forming apparatus 102 performs other processing according to the received information. Other processes are not described in detail. As a result of the confirmation in S1002, if the instruction from the management apparatus 106 is a change instruction for setting such as printing, the image forming apparatus 102 changes the setting after replacement according to the instruction in S1003. In step S <b> 1004, the image forming apparatus 102 returns a setting change result to the management apparatus 106.

[Example 2]
In the present exemplary embodiment, a process in which the image forming apparatus 102 changes its own setting by replacing a consumable with a reuse consumable will be described in detail.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing from replacement part extraction to setting change instruction in the image forming apparatus 102. With respect to this processing, the device information control unit 304 of the image forming apparatus 102 performs each step mainly.

  In step S1101, the wear rate of each component is calculated from the counter information of the image forming apparatus 102 itself. In step 1102, it is confirmed whether or not the calculated wear rate of each component exceeds a specified value. The specified value is a recommended value of the vendor of the image forming apparatus registered in advance in the storage unit 302 of the image forming apparatus 102, and may be arbitrarily changed by an administrator, for example. Further, information registered in the management apparatus 106 may be acquired via a network or the like. As a result of the confirmation in S1102, if the wear rate of the component does not exceed the specified value, this process ends. As a result of checking in S1102, if the wear rate of the component exceeds the specified value, the process proceeds to S1103.

  In step S1103, the customer information table stored in the storage unit 302 is confirmed. Such customer information may be managed by an external management device and confirmed by inquiring at the timing of this processing. In S1104, the reuse contract 501 of the customer information is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the contract allows replacement of reuse parts. As a result of the determination in S1104, if the replacement of the reuse component is impossible, the process proceeds to S1114, and if the replacement of the reuse part is possible, the process proceeds to S1105.

  In step S1105, replacement part extraction processing is performed. The details of the replacement part extraction process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S1106, it is determined whether or not a reused part that meets the replacement condition exists in the managed inventory. For example, this determination process is realized by managing the table as described in FIG. 6 with the image forming apparatus. As a result of the determination in S1106, if there is no reuse part that matches the replacement condition, the process proceeds to S1114, and if there is a reuse part that matches the replacement condition, the process proceeds to S1107.

  In step S1107, a screen shown in FIG. 13A is displayed on the display unit 306 for the user to select whether the replacement part is a new or reused part. In step S <b> 1108, the image forming apparatus 102 confirms which one of “new replacement” and “reuse product replacement” has been selected by the user. As a result of the confirmation in S1108, if “replacement of new article” is selected by the user, the process proceeds to S1114, and if “replacement of reused item” is selected, the process proceeds to S1109.

  In S1109, the reuse part extracted by the extraction process in S1105 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 306 (FIG. 13B). Here, it is displayed as a screen for allowing the user to select a desired reuse product. In S1110, notification is made to a preset destination as notification information that the reused part selected by the user is to be replaced from the screen displayed in S1109. Here, the preset destination corresponds to a PC of an administrator who manages the inventory of consumables or a service company that delivers consumables.

  In S1111, the user is inquired by displaying a screen as shown in FIG. 13C on the display unit 306 as to whether or not to change the setting corresponding to the reuse product selected from the screen displayed in S1109. Here, the setting change contents are determined by referring to the table of FIG. 7 as described above. In this embodiment, it is assumed that this table is held in the storage unit 302 of the image forming apparatus 102, for example. In step S <b> 1112, it is confirmed whether or not “execution of setting change” is selected by the user. As a result of checking in S1112, if “execution of setting change” is selected by the user, the process proceeds to S1113, and if “execution of setting change” is not selected, this process ends. In step S1113, the setting of the image forming apparatus 102 itself is changed. Here, it is assumed that the setting is changed after replacement of reuse parts is performed by a service person or an administrator. If it is before replacement of the reuse parts, this setting change is reserved and registered, and is executed when the replacement is detected.

  On the other hand, in S1114, notification is made to a preset destination as notification information that a new part is to be replaced.

  Here, the setting change regarding the reuse product was explained. As a specific example, when using a back paper as a reused product instead of a new plain paper when paper is replenished due to running out of paper in a cassette, the setting change executed in S1113 is set to restrict (prohibit) double-sided printing. Will do. In that case, a screen as shown in FIG. 14A in S1107 and a screen as shown in FIG. 14B in S1111 is displayed on the display unit 306, thereby prompting the user to replace a reused item or change the setting. Here, “setting for restricting (prohibiting) double-sided printing” performed on the self-apparatus is automatically changed to single-sided setting when receiving a printing instruction for which double-sided printing is set in the image forming apparatus. Indicates processing. In addition, printing is interrupted when a printing instruction is set for duplex printing, and the cassette number for the user who issued the printing instruction and duplex printing is prohibited when the cassette is designated. A process is performed to notify that there is.

  Note that the back paper refers to paper that has already been printed on one side and is reused as part of resource conservation efforts.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the replacement part extraction processing (1105) in the image forming apparatus 102.

  In step S1201, the remaining contract period of the image forming apparatus 102 and the usage status of the user are compared with the lifetime of the reuse component. The comparison here is the same as that in S903 described above.

  In S1202, as a result of the comparison in S1201, it is confirmed whether there is a reuse part that sufficiently satisfies the life when used by the user during the remaining contract period. As a result of the confirmation in S1202, if there is no reuse component that meets the conditions, this processing ends. As a result of the confirmation in S1202, if there is a reuse part that meets the condition, in S1203, it is set as notification information that the reuse part that matches the condition is to be replaced.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 102 performs the parts consumption rate calculation and replacement part extraction processing. However, the management apparatus 106 may perform these processes, and the image forming apparatus 102 may inquire the result. Further, regarding the notification of replacement part information, the image forming apparatus 102 may notify the management apparatus 106 when a replacement part is selected by the user, and the management apparatus 106 may notify the predetermined destination.

[Application example]
In the processing shown in FIG. 11, as a specific example, a case has been described in which a back paper is used as a reuse product instead of a new plain paper when paper is supplied when a piece of paper in a cassette is out.

  Here, in the operating environment of the printing system, a method for prohibiting single-sided printing for a user (role) or a department is provided in order to be aware of resource saving. For example, in the case of a user's print instruction, authority information for prohibiting single-sided printing or color printing is managed in the image forming apparatus or an external server in association with the user information of the user. When the print instruction is received, the authority information is referred to based on the user information, thereby changing or canceling the user's print instruction to the duplex printing setting.

  The present invention further provides a method for appropriately operating in consideration of the print control for each user authority. Specifically, in the present invention, new authority information is generated when a backing paper is set at the time of paper replacement. For example, in the case of printing specifying a paper feed cassette on which a backing paper is set, authority information including an exception setting for allowing the user to perform single-sided printing exceptionally is generated.

  By using such a method, even a user who is prohibited from single-sided printing can provide a flexible mechanism in which single-sided printing can be performed when printing using a backing paper.

[Other embodiments]
Further, the present invention including the control method described in each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

Claims (18)

A printing system including a management device for performing replacement with a new or reused consumable that is managed according to the degree of consumption of the consumable of the image forming apparatus,
A determination unit for determining whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable when replacing a consumable of the image forming apparatus;
A notification means for notifying that a new or reuse consumable is to be used upon replacement based on a result of the determination by the determination means;
An instruction means for instructing a setting to be changed in response to the replacement of the reuse consumable when the determination means determines that the reuse consumable is used,
The printing system, wherein after the replacement of the reuse consumable determined to be used by the determination unit, the setting instructed by the instruction unit is performed on the image forming apparatus.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable based on customer information of a user of the image forming apparatus.   The determination unit determines a reuse consumable to be used for replacement based on a comparison between a remaining contract period and a user usage status included in the customer information and a lifetime of the reuse consumable. The printing system according to claim 2.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable based on an instruction from a user of the image forming apparatus. .   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit changes a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus in accordance with a consumption level of a reuse consumable used for replacement. Printing system. The consumables include at least one of a photosensitive drum, a conveyance roller, and a backing paper,
As the setting instructed by the instruction means, the calibration is executed when the consumable to be used for replacement is a photosensitive drum, the rotation speed of the roller is changed when the conveyance roller is used, and the backing paper is changed. 6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system restricts double-sided printing. A determination means for determining whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable when replacing the consumable of the own device;
A notification means for notifying that a new or reuse consumable is to be used upon replacement based on a result of the determination by the determination means;
If the determination means determines that the reuse consumable is to be used, after the replacement of the reuse consumable, the setting to be changed in response to the replacement of the reuse consumable And an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable based on customer information of a user of the image forming apparatus. .   The determination unit determines a reuse consumable to be used for replacement based on a comparison between a remaining contract period and a user usage status included in the customer information and a lifetime of the reuse consumable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. Display means for displaying a screen for designating a reuse consumable to be used for exchanging the consumable of the image forming apparatus and instructing a setting to be changed corresponding to the designated reuse consumable In addition,
The determination means determines whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable based on a user instruction from the screen displayed by the display means,
The setting means, based on a user instruction from the screen displayed by the display means, sets a setting to be changed in response to the replacement of the reuse consumable after the replacement of the reuse consumable on the own apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is performed. The consumable is paper,
The determination means determines whether to use plain paper as a new consumable or back paper as a reuse consumable based on a user instruction from the screen displayed by the display means;
The setting means performs a setting for restricting double-sided printing when printing from a cassette in which the backing paper is set after replacing the backing paper, based on a user instruction from the screen displayed by the display means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.   11. The setting unit according to claim 7, wherein the setting unit varies a setting value to be set in the image forming apparatus in accordance with a consumption level of a reuse consumable used for replacement. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the consumables include at least one of a photosensitive drum, a conveyance roller, and a backing paper. In accordance with information related to the user instructing printing, the printing apparatus further includes control means for restricting single-sided printing and controlling printing based on authority information for causing double-sided printing.
When the backing paper is replaced as a consumable for reuse, in the print instruction using the backing paper, authority information including an exception setting that enables single-sided printing is generated,
8. The control unit according to claim 7, wherein, based on the generated authority information, when the user gives a print instruction using a back paper, the control unit exceptionally controls to perform single-sided printing. The image forming apparatus described. A control method in a printing system including a management device for performing replacement with a new or reused consumable that is managed according to the degree of consumption of the consumable of the image forming apparatus,
A determination step of determining whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable when replacing the consumable of the image forming apparatus;
A notification step for notifying that a new or reuse consumable is to be used in exchange based on the result of the determination in the determination step;
An instruction step for instructing a setting to be changed in response to the replacement of the reuse consumable when it is determined that the reuse consumable is used in the determination step;
A control method characterized in that the setting instructed in the instructing step is performed on the image forming apparatus after replacement of a reuse consumable determined to be used in the determining step. A determination step of determining whether to use a new consumable or a reuse consumable when replacing the consumable of the device;
A notification step for notifying that a new or reuse consumable is to be used in exchange based on the result of the determination in the determination step;
In response to the determination that the reuse consumable is used in the determination step, after the replacement of the reuse consumable, the setting to be changed in response to the replacement of the reuse consumable A control method in an image forming apparatus, comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as a means of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.   The program for functioning a computer as a means of any one of Claims 7 thru | or 14.